What is baptism anyway?
WHO SHOULD BE BAPTIZED?
EVERY PERSON WHO HAS BELIEVED IN CHRIST SHOULD BE BAPTIZED.
The prerequisite for baptism is “belief” in Jesus:
“But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.” (Acts 8:12)
BELIEVERS ARE THE ONLY PROPER CANDIDATES FOR BAPTISM.
This is set forth by the example and by the teaching of the New Testament. There is no record in the New Testament of the baptism of any who were not believers or who did not profess to be believers. The New Testament knows nothing of infant baptism nor of baptism having “saving power.”
WHAT IS THE MEANING OF BAPTISM?
IT IS A SYMBOL OF CHRIST’S DEATH, BURIAL AND RESURRECTION.
“…Christ died for our sins…he was buried…he was raised on the third day…” (I Corinthians 15:3-4)
“having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.” (Colossians 2:12)
IT IS A SYMBOL OF YOUR NEW LIFE AS A CHRISTIAN.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation: the old has gone, the new has come! (II Corinthians 5:17)
“Or don’t you know that all of us who are baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” (Romans 6:3-4)
Remember, baptism does not make you a believer; it shows that you already are one! Baptism does not “save” you. Only your faith in Christ does that. Baptism is like a wedding ring. It’s the outward symbol of the commitment you made in the heart. (Acts 8:30-31, 35-39; 16:30-33)
IT IS A TESTIMONY OF YOUR FAITH IN THE FINAL RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD.
“If we have been united with him in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in resurrection.” (Romans 6:5)
IT IS A PREREQUISITE FOR THE PRIVILEGE OF CHURCH MEMBERSHIP.
“Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.” (Acts 2:41)
WHEN IS BAPTISM SCRIPTURAL?
There are TWO important considerations regarding one’s baptism.
THE MODE MUST BE RIGHT!
To be true believer’s baptism, one must be baptized by immersion after believing and professing faith in Jesus Christ.
THE MEANING MUST BE RIGHT!
To be true believer’s baptism, one must realize what baptism symbolizes. It is an act of obedience symbolizing the believer’s faith in a crucified, buried and risen savior. It symbolizes also the transforming experience of salvation in a believer’s life: the death to sin, the burial of the old nature, and the resurrection to walk in newness of life in Christ. It is a testimony also to one’s faith in the final resurrection of the dead.
If the mode is changed the meaning is lost. If the meaning is changed the mode loses its significance.
WHERE CAN BAPTISM TAKE ME?
Not into salvation (for it is a testimony of your faith in the person and message of Christ), but INTO OBEDIENCE and CHURCH MEMBERSHIP.
WHY SHOULD I BE BAPTIZED?
BECAUSE YOU WILL WANT TO FOLLOW CHRIST’S EXAMPLE.
“At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.” (Mark 1:9)
BECAUSE CHRIST COMMANDED IT.
“Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19-20)
BECAUSE OBEYING CHRIST’S COMMANDS SHOWS YOU KNOW HIM.
“We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands.” (John 2:3)
HOW ARE WE TO BE BAPTIZED?
Throughout Christian history, groups have baptized in three ways: sprinkling with water, pouring water over the head, and immersing in water. Being immersed in the water follows the New Testament mode of baptism. Baptism in the New Testament is never by sprinkling or pouring.
THE WORD “BAPTIZE” LITERALLY MEANS TO “DIP UNDER WATER”.
In Greek, the language in which the New Testament was originally written, the word “baptize” means “to dip, submerge, or immerse.”
JESUS WAS IMMERSED IN WATER.
“As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water…” (Matthew 3:16)
IN THE EARLY CHURCH, BAPTISM WAS BY IMMERSION UNDER WATER.
“…Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water…” (Acts 8:38-39)
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